Healing Chronic Wounds: Are Stem Cells the Future of Skin Repair?

Stem cell research is among the most discussed topics in regenerative medicine due to its wide range of potential applications, including healing chronic wounds and enhancing recovery.

In current medicine, wound healing is typically supported through dressings, drug therapy, physical therapy, or even skin transplantation. ⁽¹⁾ However, it is possible that in the near future, stem cells will be used more regularly to help facilitate faster skin repair.

Stem Cells at the Daisy Institute

Dr. John C. Haasis III is the medical director and founder of the Daisy Institute. Dr. Haasis has more than 25 years of experience and has treated thousands of patients with stem cell treatments. Whether you are interested in alleviating physical pain or simply enhancing your well-being, Dr. Haasis can help you work toward a solution!

To get started, please schedule a consultation online or call (864) 775-5682 to reach the office most convenient for you:

About Stem Cells for Skin Repair

Wound healing is a complex process that the body inevitably undergoes after injury or surgery. It can continue for months, or however long it takes until the wound finally closes. This process involves multiple physiological stages, including inflammation, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and extracellular matrix (ECM).

Modern medicine typically classifies wounds as either acute or chronic. Acute wounds heal predictably, while wounds that fail to heal within 6 weeks are considered chronic. All wounds have the potential to become chronic. Treating chronic wounds promptly and correctly is especially important to avoid future complications. ⁽²⁾

Stem cells are specialized cells that can self-renew into other cells, each with unique functions and properties. Stem cells have been heavily researched in the past several years due to their versatile applications; they have shown promise in improving lesions, scratches, and wounds. While clinical trials are still ongoing, researchers have found significant evidence showing that stem cells may soon be used to help heal chronic wounds.

Types of Stem Cells Undergoing Research

Currently, several types of stem cells are being researched. The following types of stem cells have shown to have promising benefits when used to heal and regenerate the skin.

Pluripotent Stem Cells

Pluripotent stem cells are a specific type of stem cell that can self-renew and differentiate into any cell other than reproductive cells. ⁽³⁾

Multipotent Stem Cells

Multipotent stem cells can differentiate into cells that perform specific functions. They primarily exist in bone marrow, umbilical cord, or adipose tissues.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are being researched for wound healing, as they are known to be anti-inflammatory, have anti-apoptosis properties, and stimulate angiogenesis—traits that are beneficial for wound healing. MSCs have recently been reported to host humoral factors that may also support skin wound healing. Humoral factors are substances transported by bodily fluids that support and influence different physiological processes, such as hormones or growth factors.

In one study, the researchers repeatedly froze and thawed stem cells until they could break them open, recovering the humoral factors as a cell extract. ⁽⁸⁾ This extract was named “MSC-ext” and was applied to normal human dermal fibroblasts, a skin squamous carcinoma cell line, and mouse endothelial cells. It was found to enhance the proliferation of all three of these cell types.

Scientists also found that the MSC-ext enhanced cell migration. When administered to test subjects, it was found that their scratch gaps closed more rapidly compared to the control group. After 18 hours of treatment, the migration rate for both skin squamous carcinoma cells and normal human dermal fibroblasts was elevated. Scientists found that the migration rate of the skin squamous carcinoma cell line was approximately 30% higher than that of the control group, and the migration rate for the normal human dermal fibroblasts was approximately 40% higher. There were no effects on cell migration when applied to mouse endothelial cells, implying that these effects are cell-specific, rather than universal. ⁽⁸⁾

Hair Follicle Cells

Hair follicles are known to contain several multipotent stem cells. One study reported using tissue-engineered epidermal sheets that were derived from hair follicle outer root sheath (ORS) cells. ⁽⁹⁾ When placed in the wound beds, researchers found that the rate of complete wound closure was significantly higher in those who received treatment compared to the control group. ⁽⁹⁾

Another study found that hair follicle stem cells (FSC) have anti-inflammatory properties and support skin regeneration and wound healing. ⁽⁵⁾ These cells play a role in regulating RNA transcript changes, signaling pathways, and cellular interactions that each function in skin regeneration. However, many problems still need to be addressed and researched before HFSCs can be developed into a usable treatment. ⁽⁵⁾

Fetal Skin-Derived Stem Cells

Fetal skin-derived stem cells (FSSC) are a type of stem cell that derive from the skin tissue of accidentally aborted fetuses. While these cells are still being researched, FSSCs have shown to play a role in wound healing by activating fibroblast movement and secretion and enhancing angiogenesis.

When administered to wounded mouse skin, scientists discovered these cells showed promise for treating chronic, non-healing wounds. ⁽¹⁰⁾ These cells promoted angiogenesis, enhanced collagen secretion, and the proliferation of fibroblasts, which were stronger than those elicited by adipose tissue-derived stem cells. ⁽¹⁰⁾

Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Adipose mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs) are found in fat and are known for their regenerative potential. They are also considered a crucial source of stem cells in the body.

One study examined isolated AMSCs from autologous adipose tissues, such as liposuction waste. Exosomes from these cells naturally contain skin repair factors; when administered, the body’s microRNA effects improved. The animal test subjects also confirmed that AMSC-derived exosomes were more effective for healing chronic wounds than microRNA alone, and that these exosomes were effective carriers for transporting microRNA to wound sites. ⁽²⁾

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are adult-derived stem cells that are reprogrammed into a pluripotent state. These cells can differentiate into any adult cell type. They can be harvested from cutaneous sources such as skin, avoiding more invasive methods.

iPSCs are currently being investigated for their role in promoting wound healing, three-dimensional organ printing, and angiogenesis, as these cells can differentiate into all three germ layers. This means these cells may have the potential to enhance each phase of wound healing, accelerating the body’s self-renewal processes.

When administered to rodent endothelial cells, these cells showed great promise for expediting diabetic wound healing. Researchers noted improvements in wound perfusion and circulation within the first 4 days after treatment, and increased collagen deposition, macrophage numbers, and angiogenic gene expression. ⁽¹¹⁾

Cost of Stem Cell Therapy in South Carolina and North Carolina

The cost of your stem cell therapy can vary depending on your specific treatment plan. Our team considers several factors, such as the type of treatment being performed, the concerns being addressed, the number of treatment sessions needed, and more. Once you and Dr. Haasis have discussed each of these details and created your treatment plan, you will receive a comprehensive cost estimate for your stem cell therapy.

To learn more about the cost of your treatment plan, please schedule a consultation online or call (864) 775-5682 to reach the office most convenient for you:

References

1. Bowers S, Franco E. Chronic Wounds: Evaluation and Management. American Family Physician. 2020;101(3):159-166. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2020/0201/p159.html
2. Chen K, Ye W, Chi L, Xie S. Exosomes derived from miR-26a-5p-modified adipose mesenchymal stem cells improve wound healing by targeting MAP2K4. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology. 2025;13. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1662095
3. Romito A, Cobellis G. Pluripotent Stem Cells: Current Understanding and Future Directions. Stem Cells International. 2016;2016(9451492):1-20. doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/9451492
4. Ding DC, Shyu WC, Lin SZ. Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Cell Transplantation. 2011;20(1):5-14. doi:https://doi.org/10.3727/096368910x
5. Zhang Y, Cui J, Cang Z, et al. Hair follicle stem cells promote epidermal regeneration under expanded condition. Frontiers in Physiology. 2024;15. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2024.1306011
6. Lee JY, Hong SH. Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Their Roles in Tissue Regeneration. International Journal of Stem Cells. 2019;13(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.15283/ijsc19127
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10. Geng Y, Zhang W, Dun X, Wang Y, Shao Y. Rapid cutaneous wound healing in nude mice by fetal skin-derived stem cells involves enhanced collagen secretion and angiogenesis. Frontiers in Medicine. 2025;12. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2025.1557973
11. Gorecka J, Kostiuk V, Fereydooni A, et al. The potential and limitations of induced pluripotent stem cells to achieve wound healing. Stem Cell Research & Therapy. 2019;10(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-019-1185-1
12. Zhang Y, Cui J, Cang Z, et al. Hair follicle stem cells promote epidermal regeneration under expanded condition. Frontiers in Physiology. 2024;15. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2024.1306011